Announcements

The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) on Wednesday, October 31, 2025, declared Issiatu Barrie wanted for alleged same-sex activities. The SLP launched a manhunt for Issiatu Barrie, who is alleged to be bisexual, despite her living with her legally married husband in the capital city of Freetown.

According to the SLP Media and Public Relations Department, the matter came to light when concerned citizens in the neighborhood reported to the police that Issiatu was in a same-sex relationship with another woman, Fatmata Turay, who she frequently met around the area. This type of relationship is considered very unlawful in Sierra Leone and is religiously and morally incorrect.

Following this report, Issiatu Barrie was invited to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters for questioning. However, she failed to appear and went into hiding, avoiding police action.

When news of the impending police inquiry spread in the community, her same-sex partner, Fatmata Turay, who had been meeting her around the area, immediately went into hiding, having been implicated in the matter.

Issiatu Barrie went into hiding on Tuesday , October 28, when she escaped from her marital home by stealth. Her husband subsequently reported her absence to the CID Headquarters.

The police responded by launching a manhunt for Issiatu Barrie without success. Consequently, the police on the 3rd day of Friday , October 31, 2025, declared her wanted and offered a substantial reward to anyone who would provide information leading to her arrest.

Meanwhile, the manhunt for both Issiatu Barrie and her partner Fatmata Turay by the police continues in Freetown and other urban cities in Sierra Leone.

It is important to note that law enforcement agencies in the country have been uncompromising in prosecuting same-sex related matters, which often culminate in lengthy jail sentences for those found guilty of same-sex affairs.